Electric sadiron



F. LOWENSTEIN.

ELECTRIC SADIRON.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, I917.

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F. LOWENSTEIN.

ELECTRIC SADIRON.

APPLICATION F-ILED JUNE 2, 1917.

Patented Mar. 16, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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altozneu m'rz LOWENSTEIN, OF BBOOKYLN, NEW YQRK.

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specification-o1 Letters Patent. Patented Mar, 16, 1920.

Application filed Iun 2, 1917. Serial No. 172,414.

To all whom it may concern: -Be it known that I, Fm'rz LowENs'rEIN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric S ad1rons; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to' pressing app'aratus, and particularly to power operated sad irons. In its more speclfic aspects, the

invention has to do with sad irons in which pressure of the iron against a suitable supporting buck or board is attained by electromagnetic means. 4

Broadly described, the invention consists in pressing apparatus, such as a sad 1ron,

capable of exerting heavy an ironing buck or board, the arrangement being such, however, that the operator may lift the sad iron from place to place on the goods in the customary manner without any more effort, and it may be with less effort, 7

than in manipulatin an ordinary lightweight sad iron. W ere the sad iron or other pressing device is arranged to be pressed a ainst the goods by power means of some ind, the operation of the power means is so controlled by appropriate mechanism that power pressure is automatically applied by the act of the operator in placing the device against the material to be pressed; said ower pressure being automatically discontinued when the operator releases the device, or when he'exerts upon the device a force tending to move it away from the buck or other abutment means with which the device isidesigned to cooperate. In other words, the operation of the device, so far as is apparent to the operator, involves merely manipulating the dead weight of the pressing device, the 'application and release of the power pressure being controlled automatically by the operators acts in effecting such manipulation.

While the invention, broadly considered, is not limited to a construction involving electrical pressure-applying means, the prinressure on material such as cloth or the like spread upon ciples of the invention can conveniently be further explained in connection with the sad 1ron shown in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter described in detail. It isto be understood that this s ecific disclosure is not to be construed as de ing the limits of the inventionbut that it merely illustrates one type of device within the scope thereof. In the draw1ngs:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the sad ironwith the cover and handle grip removed;

. Fig. .2 is a side elevation, the cover being partly broken away to disclose the interior construction;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the iron from i one end;

Figs. 4 and 5 are details, in plan and sec tionalv elevation, res ectively, and on a larger scale, of a suita le form of make and break device; Y

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a detail, partly in section, of a part of the under side of the cover; I

Fig. 8 is a detail section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 9 is a diagram of the wiring and connections.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is a smooth bottom 'plate' or pressing surface of copper or other suitable diamagnetic material possessing the requisite heat conductivity: and

11 is an iron casting or forging which forms a magnet core whose relatively thick broad body or intermediate portion lies closeito the bottom plate but is slightly spaced away therefrom to provide room for a winding 12 of asbestos-covered magnet wire. The broadened fiat terminal portions or poles 1314, of the core are firmly clamped into positive contact with the bottom plate by means of nuts 15 working on threaded studs 16, the lower ends of which are secured to the bottom plate in any appropriate manner, the studs extending upwardly through apertures in the flat core terminals provided for that purpose. Soldering the lower ends or heads of the studs 16 to the upper side of'the copper bottom'plate has the advantage of giving a perfectly smooth uninterrupted press-.

the bottom plate, suitable counter-sinks being provided in such case on the working surface of the bottom plate to receive the stud heads. The winding may be insulated from the core by a wrapping of mica or the like (not shown); and short-circuitmg of parts of the winding by contact with the copper bottom plate may be guarded against by means of an interposed layer or plate 17 of insulating material such as mica. Said winding, besides energizing the magnet, also furnishes the heat for the sad iron. Any kind of wire suitable for this purpose may be employed but in a typical example the use of four layers of asbestos covered copper wire, 22 gage (B. 80 S.), with 110 turns n each layer, has given excellent results .m practice. The ample heat conducting and dissipating means provided by the massive iron core which has its flattened ends in good metallic contact with the copper bottom plate, provides for rapidly transferring to the pressing surface of the sad iron a considerable part of the heat developed in the winding. But a still greater proportion of the heat is transmitted directly from the flat coil to the bottom plate through the intervening thin layer of mica. As a consequence of the provision for rapid transfer of heat from the winding, it is feasible to use relatively fine copper wire for the winding and at the sametime to employ a current as high as 7 amperes or more, without endangering the integrity of the winding. As a result the winding provides ample heat both for pressing purposes and for heavy magnetization of the core. This arrangement constitutes an important feature of the invention in the preferred form here shown. It is not intended, however, to limit the invention to this particular type of winding, since other wire, as for example the various alloy resistance wires commonly employed in electrical heating apparatus, may be used, though to less advantage, in place of the fine copper winding here described. The arrangement here illustrated is especially desirable from the standpoint of economy, efiiciency, and structural compactness.

Provision is made for connecting the winding to a source of current supply, and also for automatically interrupting such connection and denergizing the magnet when the iron is to be lifted. Various arrangements can evidently be used for this purpose, but the. construction illustrated has proved satisfactory in practical service and possesses certain advantageous characteristics.

In this construction, one end 18 of the winding 12 is brought directly to a terminal post or stud 19; while the other end 20 is connected indirectly, as will be explained, to a second terminal post or stud 21 and also to a third terminal post ,or stud 22. These terminalposts maybe mounted in various ways, but a desirable method here shown consists J in providing the slightly tapered lower portion of each post with a wrapping or bushing 23, of suitable insulating material, such as mica for example, whereby the post may be forced snugly into a tapered socket member 24, which may conveniently be formed integral with the iron core piece.

Interposed in the circuit between end 20 of the vwindin and terminal studs 21 and 22, is the separa' le contact device or circuit breaker heretofore referred-t0. The function of this device is to break the winding circuit automatically just as the sad iron is about to be lifted, whereby the magnet is deenergized and only the dead weight of the iron has to be raisedin moving it away from the iron buck, which latter is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2- at 25. Another function of the circuit breaker is to enable the current to be cut off automatically or otherwise, independently of the lifting of the iron, and thus to provide for regulating the heating effect of the winding 12. One desirable arrangement for eflecting this will be explained in detail later.

The device for making and breaking the circuit through the winding 12 may take various forms, butthat here illustrated has been found particularly suitable in practice. The device comprises two relatively movable contacts, of which the lower contact is stationary in this instance, while the upper contact is movable. The lower contact consists of a disk 26 having a stud or stem 27 and a head 28, all mounted on a horizontal arm-29 and insulated therefrom by insulating disks 30, 31 and insulating sleeve 32. The horizontal bar 29 is fastened by means of screws 33 to a boss 34 on the pole piece 14 of the magnetic casting. Secured between the head 28 of the lower contact and insulating disk 31 is a conductive washer 35 which has two lugs or extensions 36 and 37, terminal 20 of the winding 12 being connected to lug 36, while wire 38 connects lug 37- with studs 19 and 21, respectively, to direct current mains 51; while condenser 52 is bridged.

across terminals 21 and 22 by means of a connection at 53 to lead 50, and by means of 'a lead 54 going to terminal 22. The condenser, which may beef 5 to 10 microfarads Q 1,aaa',1a2 w capacity, for example, is provided to prevent arcing and resultant m ur1ous heatln and burnin of the interrupter contacts; an

it is here 5 owngas entirely distinct, structurally, from the sad iron itself. It may of course be embodied in the sad iron con-,

struction, but this arrangement is less desirable as it increases the size of the sad sponding plug sockets being unequally spaced apart whereby any error in attachingthe plug is precluded.

eferring again to the mounting of the upper or movable contact of the make and break device, the movable supporting member 45 constitutes one arm of a bell crank lever which is pinned or otherwise secured to a longitudinal rocker shaft 55 arranged to one side of the center line of the sad iron, the other arm 56 of the bell crank lever extending upwardly through the cover 57 of the iron and terminating substantially over the center line thereof, at which point the handle grip 58 is secured. The rocker shaft 55 is mounted in bearings 59 and 60 which may be integral with the magnetic casting, and a collar 61, pinned to the shaft at 62, secures the shaft against displacement longitudinally. The handle is thus -mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the sad iron body, which movement is utilized to make and break the circuit through the winding. While other handle constructions may obviously be used, that here illustrated has distinct mechanical advantages for the purposes of the invention.

The downward movement ofthe upper arm 56 of the bell crank lever which supports the handle is limited by abutment of the upper contact-39 against the lower or stationary contact 26; while the upward movement of the handle support 56 is limited by head 63 of an adjusting screw- 64 which works in the internally threaded hollow boss 65 of the pole piece 14 of the magnetic casting. A lock nut 66 is provided to hold the adjusting screw in any adjusted position. In practice the permissible movement of the upper contact 39 relative to the lower contact 26 is most desirably limited to a very small distance. I have found that if this distance be as little as from .005 inch to .010 inch or a distance of about this order of magnitude, arcing may be entirely eliminated even Where the current to be broken is relatively heavy. This manner of breaking the power circuit. by limiting the gap to a distance of this small order of magnitude I soc ets adapted to rebelieve to be broadly novel, and-the same forms the subject matter. of my copending application SerialNo. 231,840, filed Ma 1, 1918. In the present application, there ore, I do not claim broadly the application of this method to powercircuit control. Nor is the construction and operation of the present apparatus limited to the use of a "make and break device operating in'this specific manner. But the use of a very small gap of the character" mentioned is very desirable in the type of sad iron' construction herein disclosed, and is preferred.

The cover 57, which incloses the principal operating parts of the sad iron construction,

may be secured in position by means of. cap

nuts '66 threading on the upper ends .of posts 67, which may extend through the pole pieces 13 and 14 and be anchored to the copper bottom plate as by'solderingor otherwise. An opening 68 is provided in the cover to accommodate the handle support 56 and to permit the slight movement thereof necessary to open' and close the, contacts of the make and break device. In order 'to prevent excessive pressure being brought to bear on the handle support, the handle may be provided with a vertical brace member '69 secured to the free end thereof, the lower end of this brace being received in a socket 70 which is arranged to limit further downward movement of the brace 69 afterthe contacts 39 and- 26' are in firm engagement.

To enable easy assembly and disassembly the cover 57 is provided with a bulge 71 forming a rectangular window which is covered by an insulating cover 72 through which project the upper ends of terminal studs 19, 21 and 22, this insulating cover being held in place as by means of screws 73.

In the best form of the invention, provision is also made for controlling the temperature of the iron to a certain extent by making it optional with the operator whether current shall be supplied to the core winding during intervals when the iron is left alone between actual ironing periods, or only during said actual ironing periods. One way of accomplishing this is shown in the drawings, where 74 represents a button or knob having astem 75 extending through the cover of the iron and grooved at 76 and 77. Depending upon the position of the stem, either groove 76 or 77 engages a hair pin spring 78' which may conveniently be made of piano wire. This spring is fas-' tened to the underside of the covcr by means of a plate 79 or other convenient means.

Another plate 80 is fastened to the cover by &

' su-itably secured to the collar 61 previously described as pinned on shaft 55. As shown,

the nut 82 is rovided'with a deep counterbore 84, whic enables easy engagement of the threadedlower end of the button stem with the nut after the iron is assembled' When the knob is depressed into its lowest position as shown in Fig. 6, the fiat spring 83 is given a downward deflection and the spring therefore tends normally to keep the contacts 26, 39 closed. It is evident therefore that when the iron is left alone with the knob depressed, the current continues to heat the iron. Should the temperature of the iron become too high or if the amount of heat developed during the actual ironing periods is sufllcient' to maintain it at the proper temperature, the operator may pull the knob 74 into its upper position, thereby defiecting the sprin to the position shown in dotted lines ig. 6), this position lying above the normal or unstressed intermediate position of the spring. When the knob is in its upper position, the spring operates, in the absence of downward pressure on the iron handle, to open the contacts 26, 39 and cut ofi' the current to the winding, the circuit through the winding therefore being closed only during the actual pressing periods.

It is to be noted that the osition of the knob 74 in no way afl'ects or lnterferes with the automatic operation of-the iron in so far as concerns the pressing and lifting forces exerted thereon by the operator. No matter which position the knob occupies, the current is always on when the iron handle is pressed down by the hand of the operator. If the knob is in its elevated position, downward pressure on the handle by the operator is only very slightly resisted by the relatively small pressure of the light spring 83, which is hardly perceptible to the operator.

- The current is always cut oil when the op.-

er'ator exerts a liftingforce on the handle, even if the knob be in its lower position. The position of the knob therefore merely determines whether or not current shall be supplied to the winding when the iron is left alone and is untouched by the operator.

Some suitable form of thermostatic device for automatically breaking the circuit when the temperature of the iron tends to exceed a certain predetermined maximum may be employed if desired, but as such device, in

and of itself, forms no part of the present invention it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate the same.

The provision ofa broad flat magnet coil whose magnetic axis is substantially parallel to the base of the sad iron is especially advantageous, and this is particularly so when the magnetic axis is also parallel to the longest dimension of said base, because the -ma netic moment thereby produced is in t c direction of the longest dimension of the iron. This reduces the stray field to a minimum and gives the maximum magnetic pull per pound of weight.

The operation of the sad iron and the method of using it are clear from the foregoing description. With the iron connected to current supply mains as indicated in Fig. 9, the operator manipulates it just as he would an ordinary iron. A tailor, for example, lifts the iron from place to place on the cloth or suit to be pressed, and in so doing he breaks the winding circuit at the very outset of each lifting eifort, thus deenergizing the magnet and consequently lifting only the'dead weight of the sad iron. Upon setting the iron down onanother spot, he presses down slightly on the handle and thereby closes the circuit, energizing the ma et and setting up a heav magnetic pull between the sad iron and t e buck 25,

which is constructed wholly or in part of paramagnetic material, ,usually iron. For example, the buck may be a gas-heated iron buck of a type in common use with pressing machines at the present time. The goods or work to be pressed are indicated diagrammatically at v25". For instance, in

a typical example, a tailors sad iron may means of the regulating knob as before described. a

The broad principles underlying the invention can evidently be extended to pressing apparatus of various types, such as sad irons or the like, where the excess or artificial 7 pressure is produced by means of agencies 'other than electricity, such as steam or compressed air. In such cases also, a common. control means, such as a handle, may serve both to move the pressing device toward or from the work to be pressed, and also to automatically operate controlling valves or other appropriate means whereby the operation of the power medium is started and stopped without attention from the operator,

in a manner analogous to making and breaking the electromagnet circuit in the specific embodiment of the invention hereinbefore described in detail. I i

In still another embodiment of the invention the pressing member itself, a gas-heated sad iron, for example, may be so heavy, or so heavily weighted, that the requisite-deof pressure on the goods is obtained by t e action of gravity alone. In such an embodiment of the invention, counterpoise mechanism is provided to which the sad iron may be connected when it is desired to counterbalance the weight of the iron, as in lifting it; and from which the sad iron may be disconnected when it is desired to utilizethe full weight of the iron in pressing.

The connection and disconnection may be effected electricall or otherwise and in a perfectly automat1c manner by the acts of the operator in mani ulating the sad iron. In the way it is possi le to operate by hand a sad iron of far greater weight than could be employed for manual operation heretofore.

Various changes can evidentl be made in the' herein-described constructions without. de arting from the spirit of the invention connections whereby the magnet may be energized, and a handle for the iron automatically operable by variation inlpressure to vary said circuit connections, downward pressure on the handle being effective to close the circuit through the electromagnet, and an upward pull on the handle being effective to open said circuit.

3. An electric sad iron comprising a body portion containing an electromagnet provided with suitable circuit connections whereb it may be energized, a make and break evice in said circuit connections, and a handle mounted on said body and controlling said make and break device, the arrangement being such that the electromagnet circuit is automatically broken by lifting pressure on the handle.

.4. An electric sad iron provided withelectromagnetic means adapted, when energized, to produce pressure between the sad iron and a suitable support or abutment, and controlling means operable to make or break connection between said electromagnetic means and a source ofcurrent su ply, said controlling means being arrange to break the connection automatically upon suitable appliment.

5. A sad iron provided with an electromagnet adapted, when energized, to produce pressure between said iron and a suitable parama etic buck or support, and means controlling the ener 'zation of said electromagnet, said means eing arranged to automatically deenergize the electromagnet when a lifting force is suitabl exerted on the iron.

6. A sad iron provi ed with an electromagnet adapted, when energized, to produce pressure between said iron and a suitable paramagnetic buck or support, circuit connectlons whereby the electromagnet may be energized, and a handle for the iron, said handle being arranged to open the circuit connections when a lifting force is suitably exerted on the handle.

7. An electric sad iron comprising a bottom plate of heat conductive diamagnetic material, a paramagnetic core having its aXis disposed substantially parallel with and in close proximit to saidbottom plate and having its en s in contact therewith, and suitable windings for the core. a

8. An electric sad iron comprisin a bottom plate of copper or the like, a broad flat iron core having its axis arranged parallel to and closely adjacent the upper side of said late and having ends making good contact t erewith, and suitable electrical windings for the core.

9. .An electric sad iron comprising a bottom plate and a heating element arranged above and in close proximity thereto, said heating element consisting of a suitably disposed small gage conductor of a highly conductive metal.

10. An electric sad iron comprising a bottom plate of a highly conductive metal, and a heating element, consisting of a flat coil of fine insulated copper wire, arranged above and in close proximity to said bottom plate.

11. An electric sad iron comprising a bottom plate of a highly conductive metal, a conductive metal core mounted on the upper side of said plate in metallic contact therewith, and a winding of fine insulated copper wire on said core.

12. An electric heating device comprising a heating element consisting of a relatively small gage metal conductor having a con- .ductivity at least substantially as high as that of copper, in combination with a heat transferring member arranged in close proximity to said heating element and capable of conducting heat away therefrom sufficiently fast to prevent fusion of said element.

13. An electric heating device comprising small gage copper wire wound on a large capacity heat transferring core of metal having high heat conductivity, the winding being suitably insulated from said core.

14. An electric sad iron comprising, in

combination, a bottom or pressure plate of diamagnetic material, a broad iron core mounted above and close to the bottom plate ing said handle.

and in metallic contact therewith at the core poles or ends, a winding on said core, terin circuit with the winding, said make and break device being automatically operable by exertion of suitable lifting force on the sad iron to open the winding circuit. I

15. An electric sad iron comprising, in combination, a bottom or ressure plate of dialnagnetic material, a. broad iron core mounted above and close to the bottom plate and in metalliccontact therewith at the core poles or ends, awinding on said core, terminals whereby current may be supplied to said Winding and a controlling device in circuit with the winding, said controlling device being automatically operable by suitable application of a lifting force on the sad iron to decrease the flow of current through said winding.

16. An electric sad iron comprising, in combination, a highly conductive metal bottom-plate, a fiat iron core member arranged close above said plate and having its ends or poles in metallic contact therewith, a heating andmagnetizing winding on said core, means whereby said winding may be connected to a source of current supply, a make and break device in circuit wit the winding, and a handle, said handle being mechanically connected to the make and break device and operatin when the iron is lifted by the handle, toImeak the circuit through the winding.

17. An electric sad iron comprising, in

combination, an electromagnet having a suitable energizing winding, a make and break device comprising a pair of relativel movable contacts in circuit with said win ing, a bell crank lever eccentrically pivoted to the sad iron, one arm of said lever carrying one of said contacts, and a lifting handle attached to the other arm of the lever, the arrangement being such that downward pressure on said handle forces the contacts together while an upward pull on the handle separates them.

18. In combination, a sad iron body, a directing handle movably secured thereto, and power means for forcing the sad iron against work to be pressed, the operation of I said,power means being controlled by mov- 19. In combination, a sad iron body having a handle pivoted thereto, and power means for forcing the sad iron against work 'to be pressed, pivotal movement of the handle being effective to put said .power means in or out of operation.

20. In an electric sadiron, the combination, with, a suitable winding and currentsupply terminals therefor, of a make and break device in circuit with said winding comprising relatively movable contacts, the

League:

relative movement of said contacts bein limited to between approximately .005 inc and .010 inch; substantially as described.

21. Pressing apparatus 'com rising, in combination, a pressing member, means whereby said member may be moved into and. out of pressing position, and power means rendered operable by the first-named means tocause said pressing member to exert or cease to exert pressure at any desired time during the operation of said pressing member.

22. Pressing apparatus comprising, in combination, a. pressing member, power means operable to force said pressing member against work to be pressed, and directing means whereby said pressing member may be moved towardand away from the Work, said directing means being freely movable a limited amount relatively to said pressing member to control said power means.

23. Pressing apparatus comprising in combination, a pressing member, a handle whereby said member may be moved toward; or away from Work to be pressed, and power means operable to force said pressing member against the work, said handle being freely movable a limited distance for controllin said power means. I 95 ressmg apparatus comprlsing, in combination, a pressing member, directing means for moving the pressing member into and out of contact with work to be pressed, and power means operable to force the pressing member against the work, said directing means being arrangedto automatically actuate said power means after the pressing member has been moved into contact with the work, and to automatically throw said power means out of .operation when force tending to move the pressing member away from the work is applied to said directing means.

25. Pressing apparatus comprising, in 110 combination, a pressing member, power means operable to force the pressing member against work to be pressed, and common means both for moving the pressing member toward and away from the work and for effective working pressure of said pressing member, and means'for automatically 'decreasing said magnetic pull when force is; suitably exerted to move the iron away from the work.

27. A sad iron comprising, in combinas tion with a suitable pressing member, an electromagnet adapted and arranged to 0'0- operate with a magnetic buck or support in producing a magnetic pull of the iron to ward such buck and thereby increasing the effective working pressure of said ressing member, and means for automatical y eliminating said magnetic pull when force is suitably exerted to move the iron away from the work.

28. The combinatiomwith a buck or sup port composed at least in part of paramagnetic material, of a press or sad lron provided with an electromagnet adapted to cooperate with said buck to produce a magnetic pull between the iron and the buck, and means for automatically eliminating or suitably decreasing such pull when the iron is about to be moved away from the buck.

29. A said iron provided with electromagnetic means for increasing the effective pressure of the sad iron when it is used in conjunction with a paramagnetic buck or support, the electromagnetic means being so arranged that the magnetic moment produced thereby is in the direction of the longest dimension of the iron.

30. A sad iron provided with an electromagnet having a broad flat energizing coil whose axis is substantially parallel to the base of the sad iron.

31. An electric sad iron comprising, in combination, a Winding arranged to heat the iron and also to increase the working pressure thereof electromagnetically, means whereby the winding circuit is closed and opened automatically in moving the sad iron into or out of contact with work to be pressed, and means adjustable to maintain the circuit either open or closed when the sad iron is not being manipulated.

32. Pressing apparatus comprising, in combination, a pressing member adapted to exert pressure on work such as cloth and the like, and manual control means whereby an operator may move said pressing member toward and away from such work, said manual control means being operable by the acts of the operator in moving the pressing member to automatically eliminate or neutralize at least a substantial rtion of the pressure-producing force during vals between actual pressing periods.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

FRITZ LOWEN STEIN.

the inter- 

